What's the difference between a 802.11b/g WLAN and 802.11a/b/g/n (draft 802.11n) WLAN and Bluetooth ?

Question

Is there a real difference between the two on a notebook computer?

Answer 1

Bluetooth is slow and has very limited range. Wifi 802.11n is the fastest but you need both router and laptop to be capable. BUT if you are concerned w/ internet speed, it is really the broadband connection that would dictate the speed, usually much less than 802.11g speed.

Answer 2

You will see different equipment standards, all with the number 802.11. The newest is 802.11n (also known as pre-N). This is an emerging standard that has better range than 802.11b or g. It is also much faster. At this writing, it has not been finalized. Other standards are g and b. All three run on the 2.4 gigahertz band. A fourth standard, a, runs on the 5GHz band. Its equipment is not compatible with the others. However, it may have fewer conflicts with household wireless gadgets, most of which use the 2.4GHz band.

The 802.11n standard takes advantage of MIMO (Multiple Input/Multiple Output). It uses multiple antennas.

To get MIMO's benefits, your computer's adapters must also use MIMO. A MIMO access point may work with your existing cards. However, the increased speed and coverage won't be there.

Until 802.11n is finalized, there is no guarantee that gadgets from different manufacturers will play well together. So, buy everything from the same manufacturer.

Answer 3

they are all standards pertaining to wireless technologies especifically wifi (Wireless Fidelity). the b/g, a/b/g/n things refer to the data rate, operational frequency, and range. 802.11b has a data rate of 11Mbps while 802.11g has 54Mbps. 802.11b/g means that the device having that specification supports both standards (they're interoperable).

bluetooth, also a wireless technology, is just 3 feet away or something.


hope that helps...